COLLEGE FOOTBALL: TCNJ players come together in aftermath of Sandy

The College of New Jersey football roster is loaded with students from every county in the state.

It is a football team that has been touched in every way by Hurricane Sandy.

Now it’s time to play football and hopefully the time on the field will help ease their mind from the tragic events off the field.

“For the kids it’s good to get back,” said TCNJ coach Eric Hamilton. “The college has done a good job being here for the kids. We all realize the bigger picture. But, they still want to compete.”

Fortunately, the Lions will be in another state as they head to Morrisville State (N.Y.) for a New Jersey Athletic Conference game set to kickoff at 1 p.m. in the only NJAC contest taking place.

“It might be a plus that where we are going is not affected,” said Hamilton. “It’s an environment that is normal.”

It is a game of significant importance for the Lions (3-5, 2-4 NJAC) as they look to win the final two games to finish at 5-5 and avoid a losing season.

Morrisville State has struggled this season with a 1-7 overall mark and 1-5 in the conference.

“We are going to be as prepared as we can,” said Hamilton. “We want to be able to have a chance to compete. We won’t be doing anything different. We’ll keep it simple and rely on the last two weeks.”

What works for the Lions has been Dan Dugan, who has set school records for completions this season, running the offense and having Jason Doniloski running the ball.

Dugan is second in the NJAC with 251.2 yards a game passing and he has thrown for 11 touchdowns. Doniloski averages 104.9 yards a game on the ground. Glenn Grainger leads the passing attack with a league best 6.6 catches a game.

Matt Chierici, who is the NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week, has led the TCNJ defense the last few weeks.

Chierici does it all he returned an interception for a touchdown against William Paterson and he is among the best in the conference in the kick and punt return game.

This week hasn’t been about number though it’s been about helping out and the Lions did their part.

“One of the best things about all this was to see the kids looking out for each other,” said Hamilton. “They are concerned about each other and their families.”

Hopefully, the families are safe and the Lions can have a winning respite from a very tough week off the field.